The 2023 NJLA Youth Services Forum is sponsored by LibraryLink NJ, NJ State Library, and NJ Association of School Librarians.
Tuesday, December 12th | 8:45am to 3:30pm
Monroe Township Library
4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ 08831
Registration is now full, and the waitlist is at capacity. We are no longer accepting requests to be added to the waitlist.
NJLA Youth Services Forum returns this year on December 12th. Using the 12/12 date as a prompt for wordplay, the theme is “12 Things I Love About YOUth Services.” The format will be unconference, unscripted, and unforgettable.
You’ll experience a day of conversation-style youth services topics to engage in throughout the day, along with keynotes from NJLA President and NJLA Vice President. The NJLA Store will be there, so come prepared to shop! This event includes breakfast and lunch, snazzy swag, and oodles of raffles. There will be a few words from representatives from NJLA Children’s Services Section and NJLA Young Adult Services Section, plus LibraryLink NJ, and Brodart – including a Special Surprise Guest!
By the time you leave, you’ll have way more than 12 things to love about youth services!
The deadline to register is Monday, December 4th. There will be no on-site registrations permitted.
Cancellation Policy
Registration reflects a commitment to pay regardless of attendance and we hope that everyone who registers will make every effort to attend. However, we understand unforeseen circumstances do occur and full refunds will be permitted if registration is canceled prior to November 30, 2023. Registrants canceling on or after November 30, 2023 will not receive a refund. To cancel your registration send an email to [email protected].
Program Schedule
Breakfast at Tiffany’s | 8:45 am - 9:30 am
Enjoy breakfast, coffee, and networking with your youth services library worker colleagues.
Start Me Up | 9:30 am - 9:45 am
Opening remarks from CSS Past-President Heather Kristian & YASS Past-President Katie Salerno.
Keynote Speakers | 9:45 am - 10:15 am
- “Don’t Let Me Get Me”: a keynote on imposter syndrome, from NJLA President Carina Gonzalez
- “Muskrat Love”: a keynote from NJLA Vice President Jeff Cupo.
Session 1 Discussion Topics (10:30 am - 11:00 am)
“Parents Just Don’t Understand”: a discussion on navigating difficult parents
If you get frustrated when parents get in the way of you providing good service to kids and teens, this discussion is for you. We’ll explore ideas on how to deal with that awkward moment when a parent introduces you to their kid only by their reading level to when parents register their teens for volunteer service without them knowing.
Discussion hosts: Jenna Ingham-Furlong & Lauren Lapinski
“Life is a Highway”: a discussion on community outreach
We all know the best way to inform children and their parents about the library is to meet them where they’re at! Come discuss everything from school visits to pop up library programs and talk about some of our best & worst outreach adventures, what worked & what hasn’t!
Discussion hosts: Lynnette Fucci & Heather Kristian
“Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?”: a discussion on dealing with difficult patrons or staff
Dealing with difficult people - whether patrons or staff - can be one of the toughest aspects of library work. But there are strategies that can help you navigate, address, or even avoid stressful and challenging interactions within your work day. Join us to hear some recommendations and share tips of your own!
Discussion hosts: Melaina Squicciarini & Darby Malvey
“Smells Like Teen Spirit”: a discussion on teen volunteers
From training newbie middle schoolers to sending off confident college-bound seniors, let's share our experiences with all things Teen Volunteer.
Discussion hosts: Emily Mazzoni & Kristen Churchill
Session 2 Discussion Topics (11:05 am - 11:35 am)
“Space Oddity”: a discussion on teen spaces in the library
The odd thing about teen spaces is that even when libraries provide teens with their own spaces, other patrons tend to encroach upon it. We’ll also discuss teen room policies, building a teen space from the ground up, teen ownership of their space (and the library in general), as well as ways to connect with teens even if you don’t have a dedicated teen space.
Discussion hosts: Jenna Ingham-Furlong & Emily Mazzoni
“Ch-ch-changes”: a discussion on storytime ideas new & old
What things do you include in Storytime that always work for you? Do you have special songs, hands-on activities or repetition that you feel always work with kids? Share the old and the new that are working in your library.
Discussion hosts: Teresa Carlton & Lynnette Fucci
“Fight For Your Right”: a discussion on book censorship
Share your experiences and concerns surrounding book challenges and censorships, and learn how you can join or seek support from the NJLA/NJASL Rapid Response Team.
Discussion host: Darby Malvey
Session 3 Discussion Topics (11:40 am - 12:10 pm)
“Another One Bites the Dust”: a discussion on collection development & weeding
Have you been putting off weeding because you’re just not sure where to start, or is that your favorite part of library work? Come share your experiences with Collection Development, and gain some tips for curating your YS collections.
Discussion host: Heather Kristian
“Under Pressure”: a discussion on career burnout and self-care
It’s hard out there for a librarian. We’ll discuss a few ways we can help banish burnout, soothe work stress, and give suggestions for self-care that go beyond bubble baths and bon-bons.
Discussion hosts: Jenna Ingham-Furlong & Melaina Squicciarini
“Whistle While You Work”: a discussion on programs & crafts for all ages
It’s Show & Tell time! Share your best programs and crafts and learn from others, too! All ages and types of programs will be discussed: book clubs, STEM, arts & crafts, food, performers, etc!
Discussion hosts: Kristen Churchill & Lynnette Fucci
Afternoon Events
“Be Our Guest”: Lunch Break & Guest Author Talk | 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Enjoy your lunch while listening to a talk by a Special Guest Author (courtesy of Brodart.)
Speaker: Surprise!
“Come Together”: LibraryLinkNJ and MentorNJ | 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
MentorNJ is a service for New Jersey libraries that serves as a gateway to librarians and paraprofessionals new to the profession or the state. As part of this service, there will also be a mentor network, both virtual and in-person, available to librarians or paraprofessionals.
Speaker: Darby Malvey
“All I Really Want”: Brodart Book Buzz | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Representatives from Brodart will talk about upcoming winter book releases for young kids all the way on up to teen readers.
Speakers: Erica Sommer & Bennett Wilder
“Closing Time”: Wrap-up & Raffles | 3:05 pm - 3:30 pm
A few closing remarks from the forum planning team, plus raffles for attendees from Brodart and the NJLA Store.
Questions? Get in touch with Jenna at [email protected]
YS Forum Planning Team Co-chairs: Lynnette Fucci, Youth Services Coordinator, Monroe Township Public Library; Jenna Ingham-Furlong, Senior Librarian/Head of Youth Services, Verona Public Library; Emilly Mazzoni, Teen Services Librarian, Monroe Township Public Library.
Link to this page: njla.org/youth-services-forum
